February 2020 Monthly Challenge

baconslave
baconslave Posts: 6,914 Member
edited January 2020 in Social Groups
Well, we've made it one month of a new year. How did we do? Does work still need to be done? Is it time for a sprint? February is short, even with the Leap Day at the end this year. Sounds like it's a perfect month for a sprint! Can we go hard this month?
Anyone else with us? :wink:

Here's my little blurb about Low-Carb Basics if you need to reread them:
I do go on and on about one B-word. The Basics. Why? Because they're important. It may not be sexy, or catchy, but take it from a person who lost the weight and has kept the majority of it off (Hey! I'm human. It's probably vanity weight, but it offends me with it's existence, alright? :lol: .) Keeping the low-carb basics locked-in is where it's at if you are wanting to actually succeed long-term. Minding the Basics will continue to serve you all the way to your goal weight and will keep you in maintenance.

So what are these Basics?
  • Planning ahead!!!
  • Staying under carbs
  • Staying under calories
  • Logging and measuring
  • Getting in exercise/movement if that's one of your goals
  • Keeping an eye on electrolyte levels
  • Getting enough water
  • Planning ahead!!! Oh, wait. I said that already? Yes, I frickin' did. Because you must! "Failing to plan is planning to fail."

Last month we focused on the basics in an effort to avoid gaining during a hectic time of year. There were lots of treats around. But many of us managed to hit our goals and not gain. Some of us even lost a few pounds, or gained insight into our own patterns when faced with pressure.

Consistency + Persistence + Time = Success

I really can't parrot that cliché formula enough. Because it's true.


You can report your progress to your goal, whether it be ultra-obsessive daily hitting your low-carb plan Basics, or working on a fitness goal, or even nailing down other good habits in your life. Anything is fair game as long as it's in pursuit of your health or fitness. And if you have problems or need advice, you'll find that here.


Sooooo...go ahead and introduce yourself and/or post your goals when you are ready. Challenge starts on the 1st.


Here's a sample format for how you can report on various goals if you'd like:
Monday 1/1:

Water: Yep. :flowerforyou:
Electrolytes Good: :flowerforyou:
Logged Food: :flowerforyou:
Exercise as Planned: Strength training :flowerforyou:
At or Under Carb Level: :flowerforyou:
At or Under Calorie Limit: Yes! :flowerforyou:
Planned Day Ahead: Yes! :flowerforyou:
7/7

Woman+Getting+Ready+to+Run-Carousel.jpg

Ready, Set, Go get it! :mrgreen:

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Replies

  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,803 Member
    I definitely need the accountability of these challenges. I am thinking of my goals and will report back when I've lined them out! :)
  • supergal3
    supergal3 Posts: 523 Member
    I think I need a February challenge. I will keep my goals simple: carbs 60 or less, gym workout at least 3x/week, keep an eye on calories but not obsessively and cut my eating window down to 8 hrs. when possible.

    Sounds doable as I type it, but time will tell.
  • tishsmith101
    tishsmith101 Posts: 1,539 Member
    I'll be ready with goals by Saturday. My good habits are back, planning ahead pretty well and meal prep is improving. My cold is gone and working out more is reducing my work stress.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    1. Eat within cal/carb limits
    2. Do scheduled strength training
    3. Do 20 min cardio (preferably stairs, but any old cardio will do)
    4. Find some daily inspiration and share it
  • CrispyStars3
    CrispyStars3 Posts: 199 Member
    1. Workout: cardio (need to start jogging, again) OR weights-- 4 up to 6 times a week
    2. Weigh/log food daily: (using my tiny scale...lol)
    3. Keep carbs to a minimum: daily <50
    4. Tan: at least 3 times a week
    5. Try 10 new recipes based on my WOE
    6. Clean out garage by end of month
  • bacpath
    bacpath Posts: 326 Member
    Hello, I’m Bev and I’m new. A little clumsy with this site so far. Prediabetic, apple shaped, cardiovascular disease. But active and very determined and organized. Mantra- Must lose 30 pounds and keep carbs low!
    My plans:
    1. Keep under CHO/ cal limit
    2. Aerobic exercise daily
    3. Weights twice a week.
    Looking forward to ‘meeting’ you guys and giving and receiving support.
    Best🧒🏻
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 6,914 Member
    bacpath wrote: »
    Hello, I’m Bev and I’m new. A little clumsy with this site so far. Prediabetic, apple shaped, cardiovascular disease. But active and very determined and organized. Mantra- Must lose 30 pounds and keep carbs low!
    My plans:
    1. Keep under CHO/ cal limit
    2. Aerobic exercise daily
    3. Weights twice a week.
    Looking forward to ‘meeting’ you guys and giving and receiving support.
    Best🧒🏻

    Welcome, Bev.
    You'll get the hang of things. :smile:
    Consistency and persistence, and you will get healthier. You've got this! Looks like you have a good plan.

    --Jess
  • jockette18
    jockette18 Posts: 26 Member
    Hi,
    Goals are for Feb:
    1. Keep low carbs
    2. 10,000 steps a every day
    3. Exercise 3 x cardio a week
    4. Exercise 2 x weight training a week
    5. Loose 1 pound week minimum
  • taylok23
    taylok23 Posts: 798 Member
    My goals for the month include:
    1. Stay within calorie limits to lose a pound a week and log everything
    2. Practice mindful eating
    3. Continue to focus on water consumption
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 6,914 Member
    It's the 1st!!!

    CW: 166.4 (I'm a hair under 5'10")
    GW: ummm....less than that? I don't have a huge problem with this weight as when I'm not retaining water during particular times of the month my clothes fit nicely. I just want a tad of wiggle room so when bloat hits it doesn't make me ragey.

    Goals:
    • Work on strength
    • Up cardio intensity
    • Resist the Hibernate urge and get the NEAT up
    • Lose a couple pounds sometime soon. Or def NOT gain winter weight.
  • tishsmith101
    tishsmith101 Posts: 1,539 Member
    Feb 1st
    CW 173
    End of month GW 169
    Cardio twice a week
    Strength once a week
    Log daily
    Meal prep so I can grab and go into the morning.

    Will likely post updates once a week, swamped at work for the next few weeks.
  • bacpath
    bacpath Posts: 326 Member
    Feb 1- under Cal/ Cho level. Brisk walk for 1 hour. :) 🏃🏽‍♀️
  • taylok23
    taylok23 Posts: 798 Member
    Yesterday I wanted to eat all the food...started off the day mindfully eating a low carb high fat lunch and stopped when I was full. Then it was downhill! Today I didn’t intend to do well due to a super bowl party so my challenge officially begins tomorrow with Shreduary.
  • supergal3
    supergal3 Posts: 523 Member
    Yesterday was a bit of a struggle, but I managed to dispose of some junk hidden in the cupboards. This morning I shopped for low carb food and re-dedicated myself to that woe. I have no super bowl parties to attend so I score on that point!
  • bwrabbit11
    bwrabbit11 Posts: 10 Member
    Hello...New here. Will start my accountability Feb 3 since I committed to a party this afternoon. 🤭 I did do well thru “Dry January” and dropped a few pounds.
    So:
    1. Stay under/at Carb/Cal limit.
    2. Walk/Hike X2
    3. Strength X3
    4. Limit alcohol and continue water consumption.
  • vkrenz
    vkrenz Posts: 183 Member
    Still excited about this February challenge. I went out yesterday with my sister and bought my first real pair of running shoes in celebration of meeting my weight loss challenge in January.

    February goals
    1. get rid of 5 lbs by 2/29. Work in progress
    2. stay < 35 net carbs daily. Did good 2/1 but went over 2/2
    3. stay < 1,500 calories daily. Did good both days
    4. intermittent fasting 16:8 every day. I have to make a better plan for the weekends
    5. Plan ahead every day. I did very well going shopping and out to eat. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, no bun, no fries and had about 10 chips w/salsa (Chili's)

  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    Day 1-2:
    1. Eat within cal/carb limits
    2. Do scheduled strength training
    3. Do 20 min cardio (preferably stairs, but any old cardio will do)
    4. Find some daily inspiration and share it

    I didn't track closely over the weekend...I did do all the strength training, but I did not do cardio saturday...I didn't really do cardio yesterday, but I did go roller skating for 2 hours, so that's probably close enough...inspiration...nope...weekends are such a challenge for that!!!
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 6,914 Member
    Day 1-2:
    1. Eat within cal/carb limits
    2. Do scheduled strength training
    3. Do 20 min cardio (preferably stairs, but any old cardio will do)
    4. Find some daily inspiration and share it

    I didn't track closely over the weekend...I did do all the strength training, but I did not do cardio saturday...I didn't really do cardio yesterday, but I did go roller skating for 2 hours, so that's probably close enough...inspiration...nope...weekends are such a challenge for that!!!

    Weekends are bananas for me, too. :dizzy: